Burkhart appointed to District 88 board

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- During a short meeting Tuesday, the District 88 Board of Education appointed Dr. Marc Burkhart, an obstetrician at the New Ulm Medical Center, to the position on the board vacated last month by Tim Babel.

Burkhart will serve until the November 2004 election. He will be formally installed at the next regular board meeting, Oct. 23.

Burkhart was chosen over another candidate, Duane Hauser, an employee of Sleepy Eye-based Norwood Promotional Products, Inc, after the two applicants filled out forms describing their ideas, goals and backgrounds and also met with the board face-to-face to answer questions last Thursday.

The questions to the candidates were extensive and focused on what they see as the main role of a board member; what changes, if any, they would like implemented in the school curriculum; how they felt about past decisions of the board; how a board member can help increase student achievement; what personal strengths they would bring to the board; what their priorities would be if programs need to be cut in the future; and several other matters.

"The board felt that, based on both answers to written questions and verbal interviews, Dr. Burkhart best fits what the needs of the board will be over the next year," Superintendent Harold Remme said, summing up the decision to choose Burkhart after the Tuesday meeting. According to Remme, the board also based its selection on Burkhart's "past participation in school activities and school committees."

"It was nice to have two candidates for the seat," said school board Chair Sue Ullery on Tuesday. "I believe we chose the person who would best serve the position at this time. Dr. Burkhart has been involved with our schools for a number of years. He has had two children graduate from the school system and two still in school. He has a fair idea of how things work."

Ullery outlined some of what the board saw as Burkhart's strengths -- a strong involvement in community organizations, including his service on various boards, and his "knowledge of people" in the community.

She also noted that the current one-year commitment will give Burkhart a chance "to try the job out."

"I feel we made a good choice," she said. "I think [Dr. Burkhart] will add a lot to the board, and I am looking forward to working with him."

Both in his written comments and during his face-to-face interview, Burkhart reiterated the community involvement theme cited by officials.

He stressed that a school board member needs to be "part of the community," "out and about," listening to people's concerns and bringing "those opinions" to officials.

Burkhart pointed to his service on various organizations -- and knowledge of the "processes" involved in decision-making -- as a possible asset during his potential school board service.

Curriculum-wise, Burkhart emphasized the need for challenging alternatives for students and cautioned against "teaching to the test." He stressed that the school board should be setting standards and encouraging teachers "to challenge students to do a little bit more" -- without, however, micro-managing educators.

Asked about how he felt toward past board decisions, Burkhart said he had "no complaints." In his opinion, the board thoroughly considered the many sides of a matter, made up their mind and "stuck with it," even when it involved taking an unpopular course.

Sharing his ideas on spending and potential budget cuts, Burkhart prioritized academics over extra-curricular activities -- noting, however, that state mandates often need to be taken into consideration when implementing cuts.

The other applicant, Duane Hauser, appeared more conservative on equipment spending and some aspects of the curriculum, stressing the importance of the "basics" of reading, writing and math.

Burkhart, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has worked at the New Ulm Medical Center since 1986. His more recent previous professional assignments include working as an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Public Health Care Service, Florida Community Health Center, West Palm Beach, Fla., from 1983 to 1986 and a residency in the field at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, from 1979 to 1983.

Raised and educated in Humboldt, Iowa, Burkhart obtained his medical degree at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, in 1975-1979.

He has been a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1987.

He is a member of the New Ulm Rotary Club (since 1987) and the New Ulm Garden Club (since 1988); has served in various capacities, including president, on the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church; on the Board of Directors of the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Valley Hospital; as Chief of Medical Staff at the NUMC; and on various other NUMC and Allina Health System committees.

Burkhart is married, with four children aged 12 through 23.